Ring mold



May 24, 1966 P. G. UETZMANN RING MOLD Filed May 29, 1963 F I G. 4

INVENTOR. Paul G. Uetzmcmn LAZO a BARRY ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,252,683 RING MOLD Paul G. Uetzmann, Manitowoc, Wis., assignor to Aluminum Specialty Company Filed May 29, 1963, Ser. No. 284,095 3 Claims. (Cl. 249168) This invention relates to a mold for making gelatin desserts and the like and more particularly to a combination cover and serving tray for ring molds.

As is commonly understood in the art, gelatin type desserts are prepared in a liquid combination and poured into molds in which they are chilled until the gelatin sets. One of the most common types of molds presently being used is of the ring type. The liquid gelatin mixture is poured into the mold in its inverted position. The mold is then chilled until the gelatin sets after which the ring mold is turned over onto a fiat tray or a plate, for example, so that the set gelatin can drop out of the mold. The mold is often heated to aid in releasing the gelatin from the inside surfaces of the mold. Heretofore, a major difficulty encountered with such molds has been in turning it over Without allowing the gelatin to drop out before it is placed on the surface, especially to a beginner who has not had the experience in manipulating the mold in order to remove the ring of gelatin.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a simplified means for handling gelatin.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a cover for a ring mold which becomes an integral part therewith.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved means for removing gelatin desserts from ring molds.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a cover for a ring mold which can be used as a serving tray after the gelatin has been removed from the mold.

Another object is to provide an improved cover and. serving tray for a ring mold which has an integrally centrally located serving cup for dressing and the like.

A further object is to provide an improved gelatin molding apparatus in which the mold is adapted for use as a cover after the gelatin has been removed therefrom.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel means of securing a combination cover and serving tray to a ring mold.

The above and other objects of the instant invention are accomplished by fabricating a substantially fiat cover member with a centrally located annular projection. The center of the cover is recessed slightly to form the bottom of the tray. The recess has an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the edge of the outer side wall of the ring mold. The annular projection is provided with a pair of buttons or knobs that cooperate with a rolled edge on the annular projection of the ring mold to lock the cover to the mold. The annular projection of the ring mold projects outwardly a greater distance than the outer edge of the mold so that the rolled edge of the center section sealingly engages the bottom surface of the recess. The outer rolled edge of the mold will then engage a portion of the side Wall of the recess leaving a slight gap between the outer edge of the mold and the bottom of the recess. When the mold is filled with gelatin, the outer rolled edge of the mold determines the height of the liquid gelatin that can be poured therein. The gelatin is then chilled until it sets and then the cover is snapped onto the mold. Alternatively, the cover may be used to protect the gelatin from contamination during the setting operation, as for example, in the refrigerator. The gap or space provided between the bottom surface of the recess and the upper before it is turned over so that the gelatin will readily be released. Preferably, the annular projection is used to support a serving cup for any salad dressings that are to be served with the gelatin.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will beco-memore readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the combination cover, ring mold and tray.

FIG. 2 is taken on lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the ring mold fastened onto the cover.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 showing the ring mold prior to the locking of the cover thereto.

FIG. 4 is a detailed showing of the snapping action of the cover on the edge of the mold.

FIG. 5 shows the cover portion when used as a tray and the mold removed therefrom.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a ring mold 10 is shown having an outwardly sloping side wall 12 and an inwardly sloping side wall 14 connected by a rounded bottom wall 16. An annular bead 18 is formed on the upper edge of the outer side Wall by rolling the upper edge outwardly so that a smooth annular surface is formed. The inner side wall is slightly longer than the outer side wall and has an annular head 20 formed around its upper edge by rolling or curling the upper edge inwardly to form a smooth surface. The slight difference between the lengths of the inner and outer side walls is significant since this assures that the chilled gelatin dessert will have sufficient clearance to drop out of the mold when it is placed on a flat tray or plate.

Preferably, thecombination cover and tray 22 is made from either a clear or opaque plastic material and is molded or formed with a central recess 24. The outer diameter of the recess which extends to the lower edge of wall 28 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the upper edge of the outer side wall of the ring mold and is connected to a flat bottom wall 30 of the recess by means of a rounded wall 28. The outer diameter of the bottom wall is slightly less than the outer diameter of the edge of the outer side wall so that the edge of the outer wall engages the inner surface of the rounded wall. A conical projection 32 extends upward from the bottom wall and supports a dressing cup 34 in its central portion. A pair of buttons or tabs 36 are molded on the wall of the conical projection a slight distance from the bottom wall of the recess. These knobs or tabs cooperate with the edge of the inner side wall of the mold to lock the mold to the cover as explained hereinafter.

When the cover is placed on the ring mold the conical projection is inserted into the central portion of the inner wall of the mold until bead 20 snaps over knobs 36.

- The bead will generally sealingly engage the bottom wall of the recess. The upper edge of the outer wall of the mold will generally sealingly engage the inner surface of the side wall 28. When the mold and cover are turned over the gelatin dessert will-drop onto the bottom surface of the recess.

In using the ring mold and cover a liquid gelatin mixture is first prepared and poured into the mold generally until it reaches the upper edge of the outer side wall. The mold is then chilled until the gelatin sets. The cover is placed on the mold by inserting the inside side wall into the central projection until the edge snaps over the tabs. The edge of the outer side wall will engage the inner surface of the round wall with sufficient force to form a seal therewith. The outer surface of the mold can then be heated slightly to release the gelatin from Patented May 24, 1966 the inner surfaces thereof. Heat can be applied by pouring warm water on the mold without fear of the water coming in contact with the gelatin because of the tight fit between the edges of the mold and the cover. The com- 'bination is then turned over so that the gelatin will drop onto the bottom of the recess in the cover. The ring mold can then be removed and the gelatin served with a dressing placed in the center cup if desired. It the dessert or the unused portion thereof is to be preserved, the ring mold can be used as a cover by merely snapping it in place on the annular projection, there-by sealing the remaining gelatin within the mold and cover. It should be apparent that the sealing engagement of the cover with the tray makes it possible to pour hot water on the mold without fear of the water entering the mold.

Although only one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described it should be obvious that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination of a ring mold and a cover-plate, said ring mold having an outer annular wall and an inner annular wall connected by an arcuate bottom wall, said cover-plate having a flat base with an outer annular wall and an inner annular wall, the inner surfaces of the walls of said lower plates engaging the edges of said ring mold annular walls to enclose said mold, and locking means integral with the surfaces of said inner annular walls of said mold and cover-plate for interengaging the mold with said cover-plates, said inner annular walls of the mold and cover-plate being higher than the outer annular walls of said mold and cover-plate, whereby on turning the ring mold and cover-plate over, the ring mold becomes the cover and the cover becomes a plate. 3

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a pair of tabs integral with the outer surface of the inner annular wall of said coverplate in position to engage the edge of the inner annular wall of said ring mold at diametrically opposite points.

3. A combination cover and plate for a ring mold having inner and outer annular Walls, said inner wall having an in-turned head on its upper end and said outer wall having an out-turned bead on its upper end, said combination cover and plate comprising a base having a central annular recess, a hollow conical projection centrally located in said base and projecting upward therefrom, the outer diameter of the recess being slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer annular wall of said ring mold, a pair of knobs on diametrically opposite sides of said projection and extending outward therefrom, said knobs being spaced from the bottom of the recess a distance sufficient to allow the in-turned bead on the central projection to fit between the knob and. the bottom of the recess, whereby on inserting the central projection of the cover into the center of the inner wall of the mold the cover will be locked on the mold by the cooperation of the bead on the inner wall with the knobs and the bead on the outer annular wall of said ring mold will engage the side wall of the recess to seal the cover to the ring mold, and on turning the ring mold over, the base becomes a plate and the mold a cover.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 85,605 1/1869 Musgrove 107l9.4 1,688,992 10/1928 Smith 22023.86 1,997,291 4/1935 Barroll 22042 2,003,432 6/1935 Finch 107-l9.4 2,039,374 5/1936 Young 99-428 X 2,290,396 7/1942 Webster 10719.4 2,403,030 7/1946 Solinsky 220- 2,652,947 9/1953 Henchert 22060 2,661,679 12/1953 Van Guilder 99428 3,079,037 2/1963 Schechter 215-100.5 X

J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Examiners. 

1. THE COMBINATION OF A RING MOLD AND A COVER-PLATE, SAID RING MOLD HAVING AN OUTER ANNULAR WALL AND AN INNER ANNULAR WALL CONNECTED BY AN ARCUATE BOTTOM WALL, SAID COVER-PLATE HAVING A FLAT BASE WITH AN OUTER ANNULAR WALL AND AN INNER ANNULAR WALL, THE INNER SURFACES OF THE WALLS OF SAID LOWER PLATES ENGAGING THE EDGES OF SAID RING MOLD ANNULAR WALLS TO ENCLOSE SAID MOLD, AND LOCKING MEANS INTEGRAL WITH THE SURFACES OF SAID INNER ANNULAR WALLS OF SAID MOLD AND COVER-PLATE FOR INTERENGAGING THE MOLD WITH SAID COVER-PLATES, SAID INNER ANNULAR WALLS OF THE MOLD AND COVER-PLATE BEING HIGHER THAN THE OUTER ANNULAR WALLS OF SAID MOLD AND COVER-PLATE, WHEREBY ON TURNING THE RING MOLD AND COVER-PLATE OVER, THE RING MOLD BECOMES THE COVER AND THE COVER BECOMES A PLATE. 